Stair-climbing exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus that simulates stair-climbing for a user. The apparatus includes a frame having a base, and a plate on the frame perpendicular to the base. A right pedal and a left pedal are on opposite sides of the plate. A drive system assembly on the plate has a right pedal sprocket, a left pedal sprocket, and a drive sprocket, wherein the right sprocket or left sprocket turn the drive sprocket in one direction only and the right and left sprockets are free to overrun in the opposite direction. The right pedal oscillates between an upper position at rest and a lower, rearward position under the weight of the user and drivingly engages the right pedal sprocket. The left pedal, operating independently of the right pedal, oscillates between an upper position at rest and a lower, rearward position under the weight of the user and drivingly engages the left pedal sprocket. A speed increasing transmission has an input and an output. A continuous chain drivingly engages the drive sprocket and the transmission input. A continuous belt engages the transmission output and an alternator which acts as a dynamic brake. A load resistor connected to the alternator is capable of absorbing the electrical energy output of the alternator. An alternator control and monitor is provided.

.Iadd.

This is a continuation of Reissue application Ser. No. 07/411,803 filedSep. 25, 1989, now abandoned, which is a Reissue of Ser. No. 06/892,101,now U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,338. .Iaddend.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus that simulatesstair climbing. More particularly, the present invention relates to anexercise apparatus having independently oscillating pedals wherein thespeed may be controlled and monitored by the operator or may bepreselected and controlled and monitored by computer control programs.

2. Prior Art

Stair climbing exercisers are generally known in the art. Treadmillexercisers, such as Parsons (U.S. Pat. No. 3,592,466) and Harrison etal. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,497,215) are typical and are necessary much largerand bulkier than the present design which eliminates the treads andrisers. Additionally, in the known treadmill designs, the size of thestairs is fixed and cannot be adjusted to accomodate the user.

Likewise, ladder climbing devices are known in the art. Gulland (U.S.Pat. No. 3,381,958) discloses such a device. While ladder climbing doesprovide exercise for the user, it does not simulate the forward-steppingaction found in stair climbing.

Previous attempts at simulating stair-climbing, such as Champoux (U.S.Pat. No. 3,747,924) and McFee (U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,302), feature pedalsthat reciprocate with each other as a critical element. This symmetricalrange of motion is neither necessary nor desirable. By way of example,in a rehabilitation or medical situation, a user, due to injury, may notbe capable of equal work on the right and left pedals. The presentinvention, with its asymmetrical range of motion, allows the user tovary the size of steps between the left and right pedals to accomodatethe needs of the user.

Rotary motion pedal exercisers, while known, are not as desirable asstair-climbing for several reasons. Rotary exercisers are normallyoperated from the sitting position. Additionally, an even force is notrequired to operate the rotary pedals. The maximum force is requiredwhen the pedals are near the vertical position and less force isrequired as the pedals depart from that point.

It is, therefore, a principal object and purpose of the presentinvention to provide an exercise apparatus that accurately simulatesstair-climbing and is of a light-weight and simple design.

It is a further object and purpose of the present invention to providean exercise apparatus that simulates stair-climbing wherein the pedalsof the exerciser may oscillate independently of each other and whereinthe height of the step is chosen by the user.

It is an additional object and purpose of the invention to provide anexercise apparatus that is less stressful on the user's body ligamentsthan running, aerobic dancing or other aerobic exercises since iteliminates jarring of the body.

It is an additional object and purpose of the present invention toprovide an exercise apparatus that may be controlled and monitored by acomputer control.

A patentability search was conducted on the present invention and thefollowing U.S. patents were uncovered in the search:

    ______________________________________                                        U.S. Pat. No.                                                                             Patentee     Issue Date                                           ______________________________________                                        4,555,108   Monteiro     November 26, 1985                                    3,381,958   Gulland      May 7, 1968                                          4,519,603   DeCloux      May 28, 1985                                         3,592,466   Parsons      July 13, 1971                                        3,765,245   Hampl        October 16, 1973                                     4,416,293   Anderson et al.                                                                            November 22, 1983                                    1,854,473   Laborda      April 19, 1932                                       4,112,928   Putsch       September 12, 1978                                   4,512,566   Bicocchi     April 23, 1985                                       4,298,893   Holmes       November 3, 1981                                     3,497,215   Harrison     February 24, 1970                                    3,970,302   McFee        July 20, 1976                                        3,747,924   Champoux     July 24, 1973                                        3,758,112   Crum et al.  September 11, 1973                                   3,511,500   Dunn         May 12, 1970                                         3,582,069   Flick        June 1, 1971                                         3,495,824   Cuinier      February 17, 1970                                    3,587,319   Andrews      June 28, 1971                                        3,529,474   Olson et al. September 22, 1970                                   3,756,595   Hague        September 4, 1973                                    2,253,996   Bechman      August 26, 1941                                      1,521,487   Turner       December 30, 1924                                    3,628,791   Garcia       December 21, 1971                                    ______________________________________                                    

Monteiro (U.S. Pat. No. 4,555,108) discloses a rotatable drum withextending ears for stairs having a gear drive connected to a hydraulicsystem. The steps do not operate independently of each other. InMonteiro and in reciprocating pedal systems, it is possible for the userto shift his or her weight from left to right. The user must consciouslydecide to work at the exercise, as opposed to the present inventionwherein an even force is required to operate the independent pedals.

McFee (U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,302), in its alternate embodiment, andChampoux (U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,924) disclose pedal exercisers havingpivotally mounted arms connected to pedals. The pedals reciprocate witheach other and do not operate independently. McFee and Champoux, thus,suffer from the same problems mentioned in Monteiro. The desiredasymmetrical range of motion is also missing. Additionally, dismountingthe McFee device would be difficult since moving weight from one pedalwill cause the other pedal to quickly fall. As will be appreciated, inthe present invention, when the user stops climbing, both pedals slowlydrift to the floor.

DeCloux (U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,603) and Putsch (U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,928)are rotary motion pedal devices suffering from the problems previouslymentioned of all rotary motion pedal devices. Putsch discloses rotarymotion pedals connected to a direct current generator and load controlresistance means. DeCloux discloses a brake and release system to givethe user a stepping-up effect.

Hampl (U.S. Pat. No. 3,765,245) discloses an alternator having apermanent magnet, as opposed to the electromagnet in the presentinvention, and having a load resistor. The present invention eliminatesthe need for the heavy duty transistor required in Hampl as acontrollable variable resistance device.

The remaining references are of interest only.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a stair-climbing exercise apparatusoperated by a user.

A tubular frame for the apparatus includes a pair of spaced tubularmembers parallel to each other and a base tubular member extendingbetween the spaced members and perpendicular thereto. Tubular membersextend upwardly from the spaced members to form a framework for a plateperpendicular to the spaced members. Inclined tubular sections extendupwardly from one of the spaced members and join to form a handrail.

A right pedal and a left pedal on opposite sides of the plate includepads parallel to the floor. A right pedal arm is pivotally mounted atone end to the right pedal and pivotally mounted at the other end of thebase tubular member. A left pedal arm is pivotally mounted at one end tothe left pedal and pivotally mounted at the other end to the basetubular member.

A right support arm is pivotally attached at one end to the right pedaland pivotally attached at the other end to the plate. A left support armis pivotally attached at one end to the left pedal and pivotallyattached at the other end to the plate. The support arms are parallel toand equal in length to their respective pedal arms.

One end of a right chain is attached to a winglet that extends from theright pedal arm. The chain is made to pass over and drivingly engage theteeth of a right sprocket which is part of a drive system assembly. Theright chain is connected at its other end to a right spring by aconnector. The spring travels over a guide sheave or pulley wheelrotatably mounted on the plate and terminates at a hanger secured to theplate.

When the user steps on the pedal, the spring will stretch to allow thechain to move over the sprocket and allow the pedal to move toward thefloor. When the user's foot is lifted and brought forward, the springwill cause the pedal to return to the upright position.

The operation of the left pedal is similar to the operation of the rightpedal. One end of a left chain is attached to a winglet that extendsfrom the left pedal arm. The left chain is made to pass over anddrivingly engage the teeth of a left sprocket on the drive systemassembly. The left chain is connected at its other end to a left springby a connector. The spring travels over a guide sheave or pulley wheelrotatably mounted on the plate and terminates at a hanger secured to theplate.

The drive system assembly includes a central shaft having a drivesprocket welded thereto. The left and right pedal sprockets operate inconjunction with clutch bearings surrounding the shaft. When either theright or left sprocket is moved in the drive direction (when eitherpedal is depressed), its respective clutch bearing positively locks toturn the shaft, which occurs each time either pedal is depressed. Wheneither the right or left sprocket is turned in the opposite direction(when either pedal is returning to position at rest) the sprocket andits respective clutch bearing will overrun so that the shaft will not beturned opposite to the desired direction of movement.

The drive system assembly has a hub secured to the plate with bolts. Asnap ring is on the end of the shaft opposite the drive sprocket. Aseparator series, consisting of a thrust washer, a thrust bearing and athrust washer, separates the snap ring from the left sprocket, the leftsprocket from the hub, the hub from the right sprocket, and the rightsprocket from the drive sprocket.

The continuous chain is engaged with the teeth of the drive sprocket andis engaged with the teeth of a transmission sprocket. The transmissionsprocket rotates an input shaft of a transmission which acts as a speedincreaser. An output shaft extends from the transmission and terminatesat a transmission tooth pulley. An alternator, secured to the plate,includes an alternator shaft and an alternator tooth pulley. Thetransmission tooth pulley and the alternator tooth pulley are connectedby a continuous belt. The alternator, which acts as a dynamic brake, isconnected to a load resistor. The alternator is controlled and monitoredby a computer control panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view, on an enlarged scale, of the pedals of theexercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevation view of the present invention shown inFIG. 1, with the right side cover removed;

FIG. 4 is a right side elevation view similar to FIG. 3 with the rightpedal shown in the depressed position;

FIG. 5 is a left side elevation view of the invention shown in FIG. 1with the left cover removed;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the drive system assembly of the presentinvention taken along section line 6--6 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the control panel of the inventionshown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 shows a stair-climbingexercise apparatus 10 operated by an exerciser 12. A tubular frame 14acts as the supporting structure for the apparatus. The frame 14includes a pair of spaced tubular members 16 and 18 parallel to eachother, which rest on the floor and provide lateral stability for theapparatus. Extending between the spaced members 16 and 18 is a basetubular member 20. Extending upwardly from spaced member 16 is a tubularmember 22. Extending upwardly from spaced member 18 is a tubular member24 which joins member 22 to form the framework for plate 26. Tubularmembers 20, 22 and 24 may be of a single-piece construction as in thepresent embodiment. The edges of plate 26 are secured to tubular members20 and 22. As will be described, many of the various components aremounted on the plate. The central location of the components, betweenthe legs of the user, provides stability to the apparatus and allows fora lightweight and simple design.

The exercise apparatus includes a right cover 28 and a left cover (notshown) to protect and shield from view the components. A vent 30 isprovided on the right cover.

Inclined tubular sections 32 and 34 extend upward from member 16 andjoin to form handrails. Tubular member 24 extends upward to meetinclined tubular sections 32 and 34. The handrails may include grips 36and 38 for the user.

A right pedal 40 and a left pedal 42 (not shown in FIG. 1) are onopposite sides of the plate 26. The juxtaposition of the pedals is bestseen in FIG. 2. The right pedals is shown in the depressed position inFIG. 2 and the left pedal is shown in position at rest. Pedals 40 and 42include pads 44 and 46, respectively. The pads function as the treadportion of a staircase and are parallel to the floor. A right pedal arm48 is pivotally mounted to pedal 40 at 50 and is pivotally mounted tobase tubular member 20 at shaft 52. A left pedal arm 54 is pivotallymounted to the left pedal 42 at 56 and is pivotally mounted to basetubular member 20 at shaft 58.

A right support arm 60, pivotally attached to the right pedal 40 at 62,is pivotally mounted to the plate at shaft 64. A left support arm 66,pivotally attached to the left pedal 42 at 68, is pivotally mounted tothe plate at shaft 70. Support arm 60 is parallel to right pedal arm 48and support arm 66 is parallel to left pedal arm 54.

The length of the right pedal arm 48 is equal to the length of the rightsupport arm 60. Given that the pedal arm and support arm are paralleland equal to each other, the pad 44 will remain parallel to the floorwhether in the depressed position or a test. Similarly, the left pedalarm 54 is parallel and equal to the length of the left support arm 66,and the pad 46 will remain parallel to the floor at all times. Thisarrangement is advantageous since is produces stable platforms for theuser to stand on during the exercise.

FIG. 3 shows the right pedal in position at rest; FIG. 4 shows the rightpedal in the depressed position lowered by the weight of the user (notshown). The right pedal moves in an arc where the endpoints of the arcare illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The cover 28 is removed in both FIGS.3 and 4.

One end of a right chain 72 is attached to a winglet 74 that extendsfrom the right pedal arm 48. The chain 72 is made to pass over anddrivingly engage the teeth of a right sprocket 76 which is part of adrive system assembly 78, best seen in cross-section in FIG. 5.

Returning to a consideration of FIGS. 3 and 4, the right chain 72 isconnected at its other end to a right spring 80 by a connector 82. Thespring travels over a guide sheave or pulley wheel 84 rotatably mountedon the plate and terminates at a hanger 86 secured to the plate 26. Thespring 80, attached to the chain 72 and, in turn, attached to the pedalarm 48, is of sufficient tension to keep the pedal in the uprightposition when not in use. The pedal, pedal arm and support arm will beraised until the winglet 74 rests against a stop 88 welded to the plate26.

When the user steps on the pedal, the spring will stretch to allow thechain to move over the right sprocket and allow the pedal to movedownward and rearward toward the floor. When the user's foot is liftedand brought forward, the spring will cause the pedal to return to theupright position. The weight of the exerciser, thus, activates thepedal.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the operation of the left pedal 42 is similar tothe operation of the right pedal just described. One end of a left chain90 is attached to a winglet 92 that extends from the left pedal arm 54.The left chain 90 is made to pass over and drivingly engage the teeth ofa left sprocket 94 on the drive system assembly 78. The left chain 90 isconnected at its other end to a left spring 96 by a connector 98. Thespring travels over a guide sheave or pulley wheel 100 rotatably mountedon the plate and terminate at a hanger 102 secured to the plate. Thespring 96, attached to the chain 90, and, in turn, attached to the pedalarm 54, is of sufficient tension to keep the pedal in the uprightposition. The pedal, pedal arm and support arm will be raised until thewinglet 92 rests against a stop 104 welded to the plate.

The drive system assembly 78, seen in detail in FIG. 6, includes acentral driveshaft 106 having a drive sprocket 108 welded thereto.Surrounding the shaft are the left sprocket 94, and the right sprocket76. The left and right sprockets operate in conjunction with clutchbearings 110 and 112, respectively. As viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4, when theright sprocket turns counterclockwise, the sprocket 76 and clutchbearing 112 positively lock with the shaft 106 to turn the shaftcounterclockwise. This occurs when the right pedal is being depressed.Thus, when the shaft 106 is rotated counterclockwise, the drive sprocket108 will likewise be rotated counterclockwise. When the right sprocketis turned clockwise (when the right pedal is returning to position atrest), the right sprocket and clutch bearing will overrun so that theshaft 106 and the drive sprocket 108 remain stationary. Thus, torque istransmitted to the shaft and drive sprocket in one direction only.

As viewed in FIG. 5, when the left sprocket 96 is turned clockwise (whenthe left pedal is being depressed), the sprocket 94 and clutch bearing110 positively lock with the shaft 106 to rotate it clockwise. When theleft sprocket is turned counterclockwise (when the left pedal isreturning to position at rest), the left sprocket and clutch bearingwill overrun so that the shaft 106 remains in motion in the clockwisedirection. Returning to a consideration of FIG. 6, the drive systemassembly 78 is secured by a hub 114 to the plate 26 with bolts 116. Pinbearings 118 separate the hub from the shaft. A snap ring 120 is on theend of the shaft opposite the drive sprocket 108. A separator series 122comprising a thrust washer 123, thrust bearing 124 and thrust washer 125surrounds the shaft. A separator series 122 separates the snap ring 120from the left sprocket 94, the left sprocket from the hub 114, the hubfrom the right sprocket 76, and the right sprocket from the drivesprocket 108.

It is important to note that left and right sprockets 94 and 76 operateindependently of each other, resulting in independent operation of theleft and right pedals. The asymmetrical range of motion of the pedals isdesirable, particularly in rehabilitation and medical applications.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the drive system assembly operation. Wheneither the left or right pedal is depressed, the driveshaft 106 will berotated counterclockwise. Continuous chain 126 is engaged with the teethof the drive sprocket 108 and engaged with the teeth of a transmissionsprocket 128.

The transmission sprocket 128 rotates an input shaft 130 of atransmission 132 secured on side to the plate 26. The transmissioncontains a series of gears (not shown) which act as a speed increaser.As seen in FIG. 5, an output shaft 134 extends from the transmission onthe opposite side from the input shaft 130 and terminates in atransmission tooth pulley 136. By way of example and not by way oflimitation, the output shaft 134 will rotate at twenty times the speedof the input shaft 130.

An alternator 138 is secured on one side to the plate 26 by means ofbolt 140. The alternator is also slidably secured to bar 142. Thealternator is of the known variety--being a generator with anelectromagnet therein. The alternator includes an alternator shaft 144and an alternator tooth pulley 146. The transmission wheel 136 andalternator tooth pulley 146 are connected by continuous belt 148. As canbe seen from the foregoing, the user provides the energy to operate thealternator 138. The alternator is connected by leads 149 to a loadresistor 150 secured to tubular member 24. The load resistor is capableof absorbing the electrical energy output of the alternator. When thealternator 138 reaches a certain speed, the voltage is transferred tothe load resistor. The work of the user is, thus dissipated in the formof heat.

The alternator is also wired to a computer control panel 152, the faceof which is shown in FIG. 7. The computer control panel 152 ispositioned for easy viewing by the user. As seen in FIG. 1, the controlpanel 152 is attached to a console adapter 154 secured to the top ofhandrails 32 and 34. One of a series of computer programs (not shown)incorporated in the control panel may be selected or the user may sethis or her own speed. The computer control panel is powered by householdelectric service connected to a direct current voltage transformer (notshown).

The computer control panel 152 act to control and monitor the alternatoras follows. The wave signal coming off of the alternator 138 at thestator terminal (not shown) is connected to the control panel and usedas a tachometer. As long as the alternator speed is less than thepredetermined control speed, the work of the user continues to produceincreased speed. Up until the alternator reaches the predeterminedcontrol speed, only a tiny amount of voltage is produced and there islittle resistance to acceleration. When the alternator's speed isgreater than the predetermined speed, the voltage generated is directedto the load resistor, thereby dynamically braking the alternator. Inactual operation, the alternator is turned on and off several hundredtimes per second and the net effect is a fluid motion.

In order to operate the exercise apparatus 10, the user will grasp thehandrails 32 and 34 and step up onto both pedals 40 and 42. Under theweight of the user, the pedals will move downward and rearward to theirlowermost position near the floor. The user will then press the startbutton 156 on the face of the computer control panel 152. The user willenter his or her weight into the computer by using the keyboard 158. Theuser will then begin the stair-climbing exercise, adjusting the lengthof his or her stride to a comfortable one. The work of the user ismonitored in mets and displayed on the computer control panel screen160. One met is 3.5 ml of oxygen per kilogram of body weight of the userper minute.

The user must continue to walk fast enough to stay up with the speed ofthe machine. The control panel has a timer (not shown) so that if theuser stops climbing for a period of time, the computer panel will switchoff.

Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to thedrawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and furthermodifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be madewithin the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise apparatus that simulatesstair-climbing for a user which comprises:(a) a frame having a base; (b)a plate on said frame perpendicular to said base; (c) a right pedal anda left pedal, said pedals being on opposite sides of said plate; (d)drive system assembly means mounted on said plate in order to sumreciprocating motion into continuous and fluid rotary motion, said drivesystem assembly means having a right pedal sprocket, a left pedalsprocket and a drive sprocket, wherein said drive sprocket is driven byeither said right sprocket or said left sprocket in one direction onlyand said right and left sprockets are free to overrun in the oppositedirection; (e) independently operating right pedal means and left pedalmeans being on opposite sides of said plate, wherein said right pedalmeans oscillates said right pedal between an upper position at rest anda lower, rearward position under the weight of the user and drivinglyengages said right pedal sprocket, and wherein said left pedal meansoscillates said left pedal between an upper position at rest and alower, rearward position under the weight of the user and drivinglyengages said left pedal sprocket; (f) speed increasing transmissionmeans mounted on said plate having an input and an output; (g) acontinuous chain drivingly engaging said drive sprocket and saidtransmission input; (h) dynamic brake means mounted on said plate; (i) acontinuous belt engaging said transmission output and said dynamic brakemeans; and (j) dynamic brake control and monitor means mounted on saidplate whereby the speed of said transmission means, said drive systemassembly means and said pedal means are controlled and monitored.
 2. Anexercise apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said independentlyoperating right pedal means and left pedal means comprises:(a) a rightpedal arm and a left pedal arm, said right pedal arm pivotally attachedat one end to said right pedal and pivotally attached at the other endthereof to said plate, and said left pedal arm pivotally attached at oneend to said left pedal and pivotally attached at the other end thereofto the opposite side of said plate; (b) a right support arm and a leftsupport arm, said right support arm parallel to said right pedal arm andpivotally attached at one end to said right pedal and pivotally attachedat the other end thereof to said plate, and said left support armparallel to said left pedal arm and pivotally attached at one end tosaid left pedal and pivotally attached at the other end thereof to saidplate; (c) a right pulley wheel and a left pulley wheel, said pulleysrotatably mounted on opposite sides of said plate; (d) a right pedalchain and a left pedal chain, said right pedal chain attached at one endto said right support arm and made to engage said right pedal sprocketand said left pedal chain attached at one end to said left support armand made to engage said left pedal sprocket; and (e) right spring meansand left spring means, said right spring means attached at one end tothe other end of said right pedal chain and attached at the other end tosaid plate, and said left spring means attached at one end to the otherend of said left pedal chain and attached at the other end to saidplate.
 3. An exercise apparatus as set forth in claim 2 including aright cover and a left cover for said plate.
 4. An exercise apparatus asset forth in claim 1 wherein said dynamic brake means includesalternator means and load resistor means connected to said alternatormeans and capable of absorbing the electrical energy output of thealternator.
 5. An exercise apparatus as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid dynamic brake control and monitor means includes a plurality ofcomputer control programs and allows the user to control the speed ofthe apparatus or allows a selected computer program to control the speedof the apparatus.
 6. An exercise apparatus as set forth in claim 1wherein said base includes a pair of parallel tubular spaced members, aconnecting tubular member perpendicular to said spaced members, and saidframe includes upwardly extending tubular members extending from saidparallel tubular spaced members. .Iadd.
 7. An exercise apparatus thatsimulates stairclimbing for a user, which comprises:(a) a frame having abase; (b) a right pedal and a left pedal, movable with respect to saidframe; (c) drive system assembly means for summing motion intocontinuous and fluid rotary motion, said drive system assembly meanshaving a right pedal sprocket, a left pedal sprocket, and a drive means,wherein said drive means is driven by either said right sprocket or saidleft sprocket in one direction only and said right and left sprocketsare free to overrun in the opposite direction; (d) independentlyoperating right pedal means and left pedal means, wherein said rightpedal means oscillates said right pedal to provide motion of said rightpedal which is a reciprocating motion, with respect to said base,between an upper position at rest and a lower, rearward position underthe weight of the user, and drivingly engages said right pedal sprocket,and wherein said left pedal means oscillates said left pedal to providemotion of said left pedal which is a reciprocating motion, with respectto said base, between an upper position at rest and a lower, rearwardposition under the weight of the user, and drivingly engages said leftpedal sprocket; (e) speed increasing transmission means having an inputand an output; (f) means for engaging said drive means and saidtransmission means input; (g) dynamic brake means for dissipating workof the user in the form of heat; (h) means for engaging saidtransmission output and said dynamic brake means; (i) means forcontrolling and monitoring the speed of said pedal means; wherein saidindependently operating right pedal means and left pedal meanscomprises: (j) a right pedal arm and a left pedal arm, said right pedalarm pivotally attached at one end to said right pedal, and said leftpedal arm pivotally attached at one end to said left pedal; (k) a rightsupport arm and a left support arm, said right support arm parallel tosaid right pedal arm and pivotally attached at one end to said rightpedal, and said left support arm parallel to said left pedal arm andpivotally attached at one end to said left pedal; (l) a right pulleywheel and a left pulley wheel, said right pulley wheel and left pulleywheel rotatably mounted with respect to said frame; (m) a right pedalchain and a left pedal chain, said right pedal chain attached at one endto said right support arm and made to engage said right pedal sprocketand said left pedal chain attached at one end to said left support armand made to engage said left pedal sprocket; and (n) right spring meansand left spring means, said right spring means attached at one end tothe other end of said right pedal chain, the other end of said rightspring means being attached in a fixed position with respect to saidframe and said left spring means attached at one end to the other end ofsaid left pedal chain, the other end of said left spring means beingattached in a fixed position with respect to said frame. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 8. An exercise apparatus as set forth in claim 7, including aright cover and a left cover, coupled to said frame, for protectingcomponents of said apparatus. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 9. An exercise apparatusthat simulates stairclimbing exercise for a user, which comprises:aframe; a right pedal and a left pedal for the user to stand on duringexercise; a right arm pivotally coupled to the frame at a right pivotlocation and having said right pedal attached to said right arm at alocation spaced apart from said right pivot location to permit downwardmovement of said right pedal about said right pivot location along anarcuate path from an upper position to a lower position under the weightof the user; a left arm pivotally coupled to the frame at a left pivotlocation and having said left pedal attached to said left arm at alocation spaced apart from said left pivot location to permit downwardmovement of said left pedal about said left pivot location along anarcuate path from an upper position to a lower position under the weightof the user; said right arm and said left arm being pivotableindependent of each other; a drive system assembly having a summingrotary member with a right side one way clutch mounted thereon and aright elongated flexible member coupled to said rotary member throughsaid right side one way clutch, to transmit rotary movement to saidrotary member is one direction in response to downward movement of saidright pedal, said right elongated flexible member being connected tosaid right arm at an attachment location located away from said rightpivot location toward said right pedal, the angle between a right armline extending from said right pivot location through said right pedalattachment location and a straight line segment of said right elongatedflexible member extending from said right, side one way clutch towardsaid right arm, measured on a side of said right elongated flexiblemember away from said right pivot location, being less than 90 degreeswhen said right pedal is in said upper position, and being greater than90 degrees when said right pedal is in said lower position; said drivesystem assembly further having a left side one way clutch mounted onsaid rotary member and a left elongated flexible member coupled to saidrotary member through said left side one way clutch, to transmit rotary,movement to said rotary member in said one direction in response todownward movement of said left pedal, said left elongated flexiblemember being connected to said left arm at an attachment locationlocated away from said left pivot location toward said left pedal, theangle between a left arm line extending from said left pivot locationthrough said left pedal attachment location and a straight line segmentof said left elongated flexible member extending from said left side oneway clutch toward said left arm, measured on a side of said leftelongated flexible member away from said left pivot location, being lessthan 90 degrees when said left pedal is in said upper position, andbeing greater than 90 degrees when said left pedal is in said lowerposition; and a brake coupled to said rotary member and controlling thevelocity of said rotary member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 10. The exerciseapparatus of claim 9 further including:a control drive for selecting apredetermined control speed; and wherein said brake controls thevelocity of said rotary member to said predetermined control speed..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 11. An exercise apparatus that simulates stairclimbingfor a user, which comprises:(a) a frame having a base; (b) a right pedaland a left pedal, movable with respect to said frame; (c) a drive systemassembly summing motion into continuous and fluid rotary motion, saiddrive system assembly having a right one way clutch, a left one wayclutch, and a drive means, wherein said drive means is driven by eithersaid right one way clutch or said left one way clutch in one directiononly and said right and left one way clutches are free to overrun in theopposite direction; (d) independently operating right pedal means andleft pedal means, wherein said right pedal means oscillates said rightpedal to provide motion of said right pedal which is a reciprocatingmotion, with respect to said base, between an upper position and alower, rearward position under the weight of the user, and drivinglyengages said right one way clutch, and wherein said left pedal meansoscillates said left pedal to provide motion of said left pedal which isa reciprocating motion, with respect to said base, between an upperposition and a lower, rearward position under the weight of the user,and drivingly engages said left one way clutch; (e) a speed increasingtransmission having an input and an output, said transmission inputbeing engaged with said drive means; (f) a brake dissipating the work ofthe user in the form of heat, said brake being engaged with thetransmission output; (g) a controller controlling and monitoring thespeed of said drive means; wherein said independently operating rightpedal means and left pedal means comprises: (h) a right pedal arm and aleft pedal arm, said right pedal arm pivotally attached at one end tosaid right pedal, and said left pedal arm pivotally attached at one endto said left pedal; (i) a right support arm and a left support arm, saidright support arm adjacent to said right pedal arm and pivotallyattached at one end to said right pedal, and said left support armadjacent to said left pedal arm and pivotally attached at one end tosaid left pedal; (j) a right elongated flexible member and a leftelongated flexible member, said right elongated flexible member attachedat one end to said right pedal arm and made to engage said right one wayclutch and said left elongated flexible member attached at one end tosaid left pedal arm and made to engage said left one way clutch; and (k)right spring means and left spring means, said right spring meansattached at one end to the other end of said right elongated flexiblemember, said right spring means being operatively engaged with saidframe and said left spring means attached at one end to the other end ofsaid left elongated flexible member, said left spring means beingoperatively engaged with said frame. .Iaddend.